xtian999 Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Any advice for the people going just to watch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HI5-O Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Eye and ear protection required and don’t be shy, shooters are good people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Bring your gun .... If you mention to the MD that you've NEVER shot a match, they'll most likely invite you , for the regal sum of $10 or $20, to shoot the match and assign you to shoot with them. They'll walk you thru it, and mentor you, all the way Otherwise, bring eye/ear protection (thanks HI5-0), plus a chair, umbrella, weather appropriate gear, food/beverage. Stay out of everyone's way - don't talk to shooters who are about to shoot - pitch in and tape/paste after being told how/when to tape/paste, and stick around to break down the stages (put the props back into storage). You'll be rewarded by making friends, learning a great deal, and might get to shoot different types of guns by shooters who LOVE to help out new shooters. And, if you're a very pretty, young woman, you'll probably receive at least 2 marriage proposals from elderly gentlemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 3 hours ago, Hi-Power Jack said: Bring your gun .... If you mention to the MD that you've NEVER shot a match, they'll most likely invite you , for the regal sum of $10 or $20, to shoot the match and assign you to shoot with them. They'll walk you thru it, and mentor you, all the way Otherwise, bring eye/ear protection (thanks HI5-0), plus a chair, umbrella, weather appropriate gear, food/beverage. Stay out of everyone's way - don't talk to shooters who are about to shoot - pitch in and tape/paste after being told how/when to tape/paste, and stick around to break down the stages (put the props back into storage). You'll be rewarded by making friends, learning a great deal, and might get to shoot different types of guns by shooters who LOVE to help out new shooters. And, if you're a very pretty, young woman, you'll probably receive at least 2 marriage proposals from elderly gentlemen. Don't forget ammo. A lot of shooters carry extra equipment and they will gladly let you borrow their equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtian999 Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 Ok. Thank you for the replies. I’ll warn any attractive, unattached women I know to watch out for anyone who smells like cordite. Lol. Going to watch the X-treme Texas match the day after my Defensive 1&2 class in Georgetown (Calvin Tidwell’s class.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 (edited) This doesn’t apply to folks in Texas, but if only spectating “behind enemy lines” then please be extra understanding when watching people you don’t know, especially if you want to film or photograph. Until you’re known, I’d strongly recommend keeping your phone in your pocket. The best thing would be sticking with a friend who can introduce you to folks, and if you don’t know anybody then politely introduce yourself to someone and see if you can buddy with them. As an active 2A proponent in Kalifornia, I am thrilled to bring new shooters into the sport, but I also really don’t like mystery non-shooters randomly following me around. Since I’m one of the local GM’s I get this a lot, and I accommodate as best I can, but even though I am 100% Kali legal it honestly raises my blood pressure until I can feel confident that this stranger is one of us. Edited March 20, 2018 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtian999 Posted March 20, 2018 Author Share Posted March 20, 2018 I h8 phones. Just want to see some pros in action and maybe learn a few things before getting into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 13 hours ago, xtian999 said: want to see pros in action and learn a few things before getting into it. IMHO, a beginner would learn a LOT more useable information from watching a non-Pro. Some idiot 73 year old, B shooter will show you how NOT to shoot a match, better than watching some 12 year old, showoff kid with lightning fast reflexes and uncanny capabilities. But, that's just my opinion ... enjoy And, bring your gun ... be much more fun to actually shoot the match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Part_time_redneck Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Get there early. Like the guys above said, don't crowd anyone but this will give you some time to ease around and see the stages before shooting starts. Also listen in on the shooters meeting. If they have a " new shooters" meeting definitely listen in on that. They will review all the do's & don'ts and give you a good idea of what to expect. You can learn a lot by spectating at a match but in the end only one way to get your feet wet. Everyone had a first match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 7 hours ago, Hi-Power Jack said: Some idiot 73 year old, B shooter will show you how NOT to shoot a match, better than watching some 12 year old, showoff kid with lightning fast reflexes and uncanny capabilities. Been beat by a 12 year old before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 1 hour ago, stick said: Been beat by a 12 year old before? I'm pretty sure she was MUCH older than12 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 On 3/20/2018 at 3:13 PM, jkrispies said: This doesn’t apply to folks in Texas, but if only spectating “behind enemy lines” then please be extra understanding when watching people you don’t know, especially if you want to film or photograph. Until you’re known, I’d strongly recommend keeping your phone in your pocket. The best thing would be sticking with a friend who can introduce you to folks, and if you don’t know anybody then politely introduce yourself to someone and see if you can buddy with them. As an active 2A proponent in Kalifornia, I am thrilled to bring new shooters into the sport, but I also really don’t like mystery non-shooters randomly following me around. Since I’m one of the local GM’s I get this a lot, and I accommodate as best I can, but even though I am 100% Kali legal it honestly raises my blood pressure until I can feel confident that this stranger is one of us. Spoken like a person who is a resident of a state that doesn't like them. I like how tactful you were, very well put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 46 minutes ago, StuckinMS said: Spoken like a person who is a resident of a state that doesn't like them. I like how tactful you were, very well put. Same can be said almost anywhere. I have known a few shooters in the past who made it known they didn’t want to be in any videos period due to their work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrathen Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 We have spectators all the time at our IDPA matches if I can and I’m not RO’ing I try go to over and talk to them and bring them in. Ask if they have questions and see about getting them involved. Shooters are almost always nice and willing to chat, answer questions, or involve new people. The biggest thing is to be safe and follow instructions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 If you help paste or set steel, you will make friends! We have even let spectators shoot a shoot from the box stage (safety reasons) with our gear and usually, that's when the addiction starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger49 Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 StuckinMS is right on with his statement, If you can help out where needed it will instantly make you some friends and give you great insight into how everything works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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